Silicon quantum dot-molecule hybrid systems and their applications

Si quantum dot (QD)-molecule hybrid systems have emerged as a popular architecture in many research fields due to the ability to select for the advantages conferred by the inorganic Si component and the organic sections. This perspective will focus on the optical properties of Si QDs, the parameters that affect Si QD photophysics or energy transfer in Si QD-molecule hybrid structures, and their resultant hybrid optoelectronic devices. Examples of recent applications that employ Si QD-molecule hybrid materials are presented. Finally, we discuss current issues involving basic structure-property relationships that need to be addressed for Si QDs and conclude with an outlook on the bright future of Si QD-molecule hybrid materials.